The Spontaneous DIY Bathroom RENO REVEAL!!!

There are so many reasons to NOT do what I did.

An unplanned, unbudgeted bathroom renovation is just plain irresponsible.

But one reason makes my irresponsbility not matter.

​It's this...

I admit it...I love my new bathroom.
It's one of those projects that came out better than I'd imagined.

​For those new to this crazy story, here is where
it all began more than 6 months ago with
Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of the
Spontaneous DIY Bathroom Renovation.

​It started like this:

Before: The bathroom renovation that took on a life of its own!

Not the worst bathroom in the world,
but the mish-mash of 80s laminate and tile...
​not my cup of tea.

Let's get caught up!
Many of you have heard me say that
sometimes when you give a project time,
 it may take you to an altogether unexpected and wonderful place. 

I changed my mind a lot during this renovation.
And many circumstances were changed for me! 

My husband was on his way with the shiplap
when I had a change of heart.
He already put up the battens  and half the timber horizontally...
when I decided I wanted the boards vertical instead.

Not a great start.

This is also the first-stage-ugly category when you think:
"WHAT have I DONE?!"
​

The next stage was what we called the "Dexter" period.
The reasons may or may not be obvious to TV drama enthusiasts.

While waiting for the tiler
we showered for over a month with black plastic walls.
​

The bathtub looks a bit out of sorts here, but is a winner in the end!

Did you notice the gorgeous soaking tub?
Big time SALE!
Why?
Because most people buy big bathtubs.
I wanted the tub proportions to grace the space, not "fit" the space.
Buying a "smaller" tub (1310 mm) meant it cost less than half
because they're not as popular.

By the way, I love taking baths and over the years I've had
an antique claw foot tub, normal tub, spa tub
this is my absolute favourite. 

In addition to making the space appear bigger,
it saves water and is very comfortable and luxurious!

---

My plan to preserve the slate floors took a dive while I was overseas.
Upon my return, I went on the hunt for floor tiles.

My goodness did I fall a wee bit in love.
I love the randomness of these beauties, the unpredictable pattern,
every tile is different from the next --
well doesn't that just speak to my heart?!

Delivery day....almost as good as demo day...

Which is tile and which is timber?

​I was planning on using classic subway tiles
in the shower/tub area until these
faux timber tiles jumped in front of me —
they looked almost exactly like the timber boards
I had painted with Old World Clay & Chalk Paint!

All I had to do was  roughen the
painted boards up a bit for 
 a perfect rustic barnwood finish.
​The muted tones ​complemented the floor perfectly.
And once installed, even though
there is a width variation between the
tiles and the painted boards it's
absolutely unnoticeable!

---

​This is where and when it got out of hand.

We are a one bathroom house.  And showering was out
for over a week while the bathroom
was waterproofed, tiled and grouted.
Argh.

So between showering at friends (thanks Carol!)
and family, then skipping off for a couple days out of town,
progress photos are lacking.

​So let's do the big reveal with all the yummy details.

See the privacy (nib) wall? The tiler threw it in for $50! Never hurts to ask!

The tiler was kind enough to add
a privacy (nib) wall that we left open on one side for storage.

See that glass partition on top?
I planned to do something clever like a vintage window or shutter.
Then, my lovely tiler offered to install a glass partition...
This is when practicality and exhaustion wins over creativity.

However, are you ready for the cost of the custom cut safety glass?
$1000.
WHAT THE HECK?
Oh, I'm sorry, is it made of GOLD?

What I love, love love about the tiler we used is
he then suggested we try a place that sells off-cuts,
to see if they have anything near the size.
$60 and it was a done deal.
$60 vs $1000 and the tiler installed it for us.  
*If anyone in Adelaide needs a tiler, email me and I'm very happy to pass on his details with the highest of recommendations  

By the way,  the wall is the smartest thing ever
because I certainly splash about and make a mess
and those two shelves give an awful lot of storage space!
​
In quick succession, we installed 
the tub, the toilet, the vanity and the window.

Ben put in our new window, bigger, lower and a shape that makes sense.
I'd planned to paint it white, but once it was in,
looking so perfect with the vintage towel rack, the answer was obvious.
Two coats of Hemp Oil.​
​Done.

The final styling and bits-and-pieces are so fun!
Like the awesome, contemporary mirror — from Ikea.
​Or the cotton bud holders from Kmart for $1 each.

I bought this toilet roll holder on an overseas holiday and have kept it for years.
It finally has a home, here's the before and after.
The heavy wrought iron was lightened up with
Old World Clay & Chalk Paint in Industrial White
and sealed with our tough-as, non-yellowing poly, Aqua Sealer.

Before: Painting metal with Old World Paint

Another thing that changed? The vanity top.
Remember in Part 2 I stained it with
Old World Paint in Sage?
I tried to convince myself to like it
(note: don't ever do this)
So I sanded it back added a touch of
Old World Paint in Industrial White to Aqua Sealer and now I love it.
It's a subtle white that disappears in the room.

I tried every knob we carry...that's a lot of knobs!
I finally narrowed it down to three and had to call Carol in!
We decided the subtle stepped glass knob was perfect.
And look how we hid an extra outlet underneath the basin
​to keep my electric toothbrush plugged in!

That's it! The big reveal!
Thank you for asking about the end result
and mostly for being so patient.
I hope you feel it was worth the wait!

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See how it all began:
Part 1: The Spontaneous DIY Bathroom Renovation: What Was I Thinking?
Part 2: The Spontaneous DIY Bathroom Renovation UPDATE!
Part 3: The DIY Bathroom Renovation: Creating Weathered Barn Walls & The New-Old Vanity

It's all here...for the love...
Sada